Reflections on the Tulla Tub
Signing off on his latest Beach Grit article, Steve Shearer recently wrote: “Surely we’ve all got wavepool fatigue now?”
But it depends, I suppose, on where you sit.
There ain’t no wavepool fatigue around Melbourne at the moment - the very opposite in fact. I know two Melburnian surfers and they both say their surfing friends are crossing off the days until the opening of the Tullamarine Tub. A gesture that suggests they’re energised not enervated.
Though, construed another way, you could say that I have wavepool fatigue right now: I feel like I’ve done ten rounds with Tyson, can’t lift my left arm above the horizontal, a gash in my head has been superglued shut, and if I laid down I could sleep till next week.
All because of a few hours in the tub.
But rather than sleep I want to get my thoughts down while they’re fresh. Apologies in advance if what follows is discursive or less than coherent.
This is Willy Wonka, AKA Andrew Ross URBNSURF CEO
Like Charlie, I got the golden ticket to the chocolate factory; an email with an invitation that was RSVPed ASAP. Ben Matson got one too, as did a few other media folk, surfing and otherwise.
So it was car, train, plane, taxi, taxi, taxi to arrive at the gates of URBNSURF, just beyond Melbourne airport which explains why I had to sit in three taxis before one would accept the fare. I’ve given up defending the industry - Uber all the way.
Sign a waiver - more on that later - and the first person I see is a famous Sydney shaper dripping wet and jogging from the pool. He also received a golden ticket, only for the morning not the afternoon, and he’d come unstuck near the wall and buckled two fins. What followed was a board exchange that’d make a CT surfer proud. Not much fatigue there either.
Later I overheard him in animated conversation with one of the staff about customising a board to the curves of the pool. It’s an exciting time for board designers who will shortly be able to shape boards specifically for a wave with endless repetition.
The staff rotated the morning group reluctantly out and introduced themselves to the newly assembled who, though chatting amiably amongst themselves, all faced the pool which demanded attention even when lifeless.
Hayden Cox perfectly weighted on a self-shaped fish
URBNSURF CEO and music maker Andrew Ross appeared in his wetsuit and introduced himself. “This afternoon you’ll all get 100 waves,” he said magnanimously, sounding every bit like Willy Wonka himself. “But first I’d like to take you on a tour.”
I exchanged glances with Ben and we read each other's thoughts: Couldn’t we do this after the session? Augustus and Veruca in cahoots.
We bit tongues and followed Andrew around the pool and into the engine room where cameras were off limits under threat of a lifetime ban. Unlike Slater’s invention or Webber’s conception, Wavegarden tech doesn’t use a hull to displace water. Instead, 46 vertical panels move side to side in sequence, first creating a wave on one side, and four seconds later a wave on the other side.
Stay tuned to Swellnet for a more detailed look at the Wavegarden tech.
Swellnet lost the paddle battle for first wave of the session to Beach Grit with an Up The Fucken Swellian in third, however we were all beaten by the wave itself, which unbeknownst to us was set on Beast mode. All eight waves of that first set were ridden with none of them completed, and it wasn’t wholly due to the gormless pilots.
With no clues as to what the wave will do down the line, no draw off the bank or Raimana to gently instruct, then you’re essentially flying blind; if you’re not at the very base of the wave when it lurches then there’s no chance of getting down there - not connected to your board anyway.
Word is the pool will open to the public with an electronic board to show the wave schedule.
Derek Rielly feasting on surf candy
Tall Vaughan Blakey squeaking through a double up
The trick, once you’ve been pitched by the Beast a few times, is to stay low on the face when the section hits, angle the board towards shore and keep your nose clean. From there work up to speed management: stalling going into the section and accelerating through it.
However, exact repetition won’t work as each wave is marginally different to the one before it. On the Beast, and the other barrel settings, the first wave is cleanest, though not as hollow, they then get incrementally rounder, till random glitches mar the last waves of the set, the current working up a head of steam and affecting them in unpredictable ways.
The pattern stays the same but the details change.
On most settings the waves came in sets of eight with three minute intervals between sets. It’s possible to ride two waves in a set if you go early then gun it for one of the later waves, but good luck if you can maintain the pace.
The crew who’d surfed Lemoore said they got seven or eight waves in a day, with long anxious waits in between, and each wave safely ridden like the cherished jewel it was. Which sounded like an austerity program against the sheer gluttony of Wavegarden where you rarely stopped moving and were able to throw yourself at each wave with the abandon of Jackson Pollock in the studio. Didn’t make that wave? Here comes another one…
Ben Matson on nug number 75
Jackson Barron from 'The Daily Mail'
It’s a place to cleanse yourself of petty grievances. Surrounding me were media peers who at times have pissed me off, at other times made me jealous, yet I don’t doubt any of the hoots from the tub were genuine, and they shouldn’t second guess mine. It’s a manufactured environment where jubilation is authentic.
Separated by the wavemaker it’s easy to forget there’s a mirror-image wave on the other side, and that you’re only seeing half of the park, till you hear the odd hoot from that side. Fuck, there’s a party over there too!
If our crew was representative, there’s still more natural footers then goofys in the world as most people opted for the right. So I slid over to the less populated left which, while still on Beast mode, was putting out a scaled down imitation of Blacks, the barrel section creating an angled gutter along the base of the wave.
Dale Robinson from Monster Children on a grower
Coned from takeoff, Jed Smith
When the wave setting went from Beast to Turns the shortcoming of my board became obvious. The wave doesn’t generate down-the-line speed, and without the push of the ocean, open face turns require extra floatation. EPS they say. Wide-tailed too. A good rhythm is essential and you can see how the float would help.
Yet whether they’re EPS or PU, boards will take a beating. At the tub, everything happens in close proximity. Wave action butts you up against the chain link fence on one side or the concrete wall on the other, while a wipeout places you in the impact zone where it’s too shallow to duckdive and there’s someone steaming through on the very next wave, and the one after that, and the one after that.
While on the left I got hung up on a reo and had to ditch my board almost decapitating Willy Wonka who’d ridden the wave before me, taking out his board instead. A collision with the owner! I’d written controversial things about Andrew in the past, things he hadn’t appreciated, how was this going to play out?
I rose slowly from the water, extended open palms and a sincere apology. “No worries,” said Andrew. “I’ve had way closer calls than that.”
Might be worth talking about that waiver now.
Before setting foot in the pool everyone signed a waiver about surfing being an inherently dangerous activity. It’s a formality of course. I expected as much. But it takes on significance when you realise the danger.
Yeah, the danger.
Allow me to provide some perspective.
Last time Swellnet ran a video of the tub people were holding a tape measure up to the wave, but in hindsight that’s all nonsense - there’s no grovelling here. There’s no stand up pits either, but you sure ain’t wanting for size. The first time you hit bottom is a shock. It’s hard concrete and maybe thigh deep where the lip hits. Fall on take off and you’re trying to find a place to hide in knee deep water as the lip of the next wave pitches and the rider and board pass overhead.
My session ended after two hours when the toe side rail caught during a layback and I went over leading with my head and shoulder, each making contact and hard. The lifeguards, who’d just stitched up another punter, were quickly onto me, sitting me down and assessing damage. They decided on glue and steristrips, and an enforced end to the session. Tail between my legs, I went poolside to dry off.
Last layback of the day
“Well, what’d you think of it” asked Andrew, who was clearly keen to know.
One of the narratives surrounding the rise of wavepools is that they’ll offer much but deliver little. That the owners will avoid the risk of litigation and wrap us in cotton wool with a powered-down product. Sitting poolside, bandage around my head watching the session continue on, I bounced between disappointment at missing the end of the session and elation at what went down.
The tub is great fun, and without getting all hairy-chested, that’s largely due to the equation of shallow water = hollow barrel. Ergo, it was fun because there’s an element of danger, even if it’s not apparent.
“It won’t always be like that,” said Andrew. “We’ve got other settings, for learners, for people who want to do turns.” I smiled meekly. Andrew sensed the indulgence and continued. “But so far everyone wants to get barrelled.”
I resolved that next time I surfed the tub I’d wear a Gath helmet. Sounds silly, right? And I’ll be the first to admit it’ll look even sillier. However, three people in our crew got hurt, and all of them were head injuries.
Since I got home I’ve had numerous people ask me how it was. Everyone is curious, though not everyone is sold on it. “You only enjoyed it 'cos it was free,” countered one mate, and it caused me to consider the point.
Yet two days after the session I keep replaying moments in my head. I keep flashing on mistakes I made, how I could’ve got deeper, what boards I’d ride next time, where I’d place my turns next time.
Next time, next time.
Admission may have been waived, but the infection is real.
(All photos URBNSURF/Jarrah Lynch)
Comments
so when do we get a go
Sometime in January it opens. Not sure of the actual date and I don't think they are yet either.
Stoked to hear you enjoyed yourself Stu! You described it perfectly, there are so many facets to the wave pool other than just the wave. Lots of people are speculating and throwing their criticisms around but it is simply lots of fun. If you don’t like fun then stay home and watch Neighbours on TV!
The waves look fun , no doubt there.
Delicious little nuggets.
These pools discriminate against the other types of surf craft that have evolved over time. As did the skeg less planks of wood that morphed into tiny pieces of lightly glass covered foam, but this evolution also sprouted into lids, mals, kneelows, goat boats, sups, sails, foils and in some cases a mutant mix.
This pool does not cater for my standup foil sup with sail assist. Clearly discriminates against riders of the craft, craft that is so awe inspiring and crowd drawing if catered for would open up a market of pay for view video streaming and ice cream stands. I remember vividly people staring and screaming at me obviously in the combination of awe, exhilaration, excitement and amazement as I hurtled across a screamer, wind in the sail, paddle in hand and hydro foiling. I recon I traversed the flagged area of North Bondii within seconds.
That said it only takes one party pooper to call the police citing that injuries could occur especially with the kids wadding but I say those kids were fully padded with floaties and I was wearing a helmet, there was little chance of me sustaining an injury especially being one so experienced.
Who are they to decide how many lives lost are too many when pushing new surfing techniques ?
is it going to be booked out for 2 years like waco....and if so when do plebs like myself have an actual realistic chance of catching a wave there
So let's create a whole lot of pollution to make an artificial wave which we can pay $70 to surf and look forward to ten waves ridden in hour, meanwhile we can bliss out on the concrete views. Am I crazy or is that a really dumb idea? Urbnsurf congrats on being part of the problem. Why? So kooks who get excited about 10 waves per hour can surf 2ft waves? Wow...so cool, so great. A bunch of paid journos, pros, semi pros and industry parasites say it's great so it must be. Wow...I have to go, where do I pay, I can't wait to hand over my money for this soulless crap
320 waves per hour...
Testify mate. Absolutely ridiculous use of resources given the current state of the world. Indefensible in my eyes, and fatally compromised.
Spin it anyway you want surf industry, but consuming electricity and resource intensive industries to make what’s free and plentiful, especially in a country like ours, is the height of arrogance. A completely unnecessary and environmentally irresponsible endeavour. Honestly how is this not being called out? Surfers are so full of shit sometimes.
Hi Billy, this may not be for you, and that's totally cool, I'd just say, give it a shot before you form your view.
Just to clarify, the pros and journos received free sessions, but no one has ever been paid by us to surf in the lagoon.
Hi Andy
Good response at the end of this thread. You guys have obviously considered a lot and tried hard to offset the impact of these developments. A step in the right direction for industry for sure.
The thought remains.... That concrete could have been used elsewhere, that renewably sourced electricity (disregarding the environmental issues accompanying hydro) could have gone to manufacturing or households, that recycled water could be reintroduced into local ecosystems, and you don’t need to offset travel and waste if you just don’t produce it in the first place.
In a country with +/- 17000kms of surfable coastline, honestly, why on earth do we need this? Surely it’s down to money and fun. Two good things, but in this context, I think completely unjustifiable.
If it’s flat, mow the lawn.
If you choose not to live near the beach (it is a choice), take up cycling.
No ones forcing you to surf it.
Have you ever travelled by airplane for a surf trip? I’d hope not given the way you’re carrying on
Not a valid comparison. But developments like this, just like my past and any future surf travel, deserve harsh critique.
We can’t have it all anymore, the world can’t support it. The boys know that, but they’re still gonna get a baggy of fair trade blow and hit the wave pool.
I'll take that as a yes. Nuff said
Mate, I get it. You wanna pick holes in other perspectives because everyone is compromised so fuck me for getting all high and mighty. I get it, it’s a lazy position, but I get it.
But it’s simple. Do you, Urbnsurf, or anyone honestly believe it’s worth damming rivers, mining minerals to produce solar PV and batteries, interrupting bird migrations with wind turbines, or burning fossil fuels to create what the ocean has in abundance, free for the planet and the consumer, down the road? Waves, that’s what we’re producing here. Not jobs, tourism, or content, other industries create them just as well if not better. Waves, and mostly shit waves ffs. Honestly, someone please justify it to me so I can go surf it with a dumb smile on my face.
To me it’s akin to land clearing. We have enough, more than enough. Use what we have more responsibly.
If you live close to the tub it's probably better for the environment that you stay in the city and use public transport to get to the waves....
Certainly to hold on to any shred of rhetorical integrity you'll have to never get on a plane again.
Hahahaha spot on
Willy you're missing my point - Im not questioning whether the wave is fun or not - sounds like all agreed that it is - I'm question the amount of energy it takes to make said wave and the resulting carbon released into the atmosphere. If you accept climate change is happening, then its a really disgusting proposition to hasten the process so some entrepreneurs can cash in on surfing.
Re the journos, again you miss the point - they may not be paid, but urbnsurf is an advertiser. How else could all the journos be so dumb as to fail to critique the wave pool from the climate change perspective? Answer: they know what side their bread is buttered - for now
You can't have those waves without the pollution. Wake up and boycott the place. Its a part of the problem we dont actually need
Hi Billy, you might have missed my comment above/below - from 1 Jan we are using 100% renewable power throughout the park.
It's a bit rich calling anyone "so dumb" after your abysmal mathematics and comprehension.
On the pollution scale, where do you think this sits in comparison to other sports? Lets take football for an example. Whats the impact of 1 AFL match at the G. . prob a fuck tonne! Waste, consumption, electricity and state resources. . Think about in one day, there would be possibly 20 surfers NOT driving to Torquay from Melbourne let cars on the road less fuel etc... These pools have a place and in 5-10 years will be completely normal to get a quick fix when the surf is in a 3 week flat spell.. Rekon you'll reconsider then!
These pools discriminate against the other types of surf craft that have evolved over time. As did the skeg less planks of wood that morphed into tiny pieces of lightly glass covered foam, but this evolution also sprouted into lids, mals, kneelows, goat boats, sups, sails, foils and in some cases a mutant mix.
This pool does not cater for my standup foil sup with sail assist. Clearly discriminates against riders of the craft, craft that is so awe inspiring and crowd drawing if catered for would open up a market of pay for view video streaming and ice cream stands. I remember vividly people staring and screaming at me obviously in the combination of awe, exhilaration, excitement and amazement as I hurtled across a screamer, wind in the sail, paddle in hand and hydro foiling. I recon I traversed the flagged area of North Bondii within second.
That said it only takes one party pooper to call the police citing that injuries could occur especially with the kids wadding but I say those kids were fully padded with floaties and I was wearing a helmet, there was little chance of me sustaining an injury especially one so experienced.
“It’s a manufactured environment where jubilation is authentic”
I’m still yet to hear from any disappointed punters in this next gen pool age. Not even one...
Sounds like a great day out, can’t wait
Good read- thanks. I thought a gath might be required- mines to go bro.
How do you think it'll go with a proper mob Stu? Still plenty of waves to go around?
Right now they're testing to find the optimum number. They've gotta get the numbers through to make it commerically viable, however they're aware there'll be a point where order breaks down.
At one point there were 16 people on the right, which means you're sitting out every second set, or to put it another way, you're surfing a wave every six minutes.
From what I've heard that's around the number they're looking to open with.
I honestly don't know how people who've paid to visit will feel about that, though I'll find out soon enough. I'm trying to book a visit for January.
I'd be more than happy with a wave every six minutes - 10 in an hour session sounds like an ok session to me.
I surfed it yesterday. There were about 15- 18 on each side as people swapped sides from the left to the right. It was busy at first but still plenty of waves. No complaints and we’d all paid to surf it. Stoked happy faces on everyone.
It turns out a lot of surfers are really unfit. A few hours in and people were headed for the “beach”. By the 3rd hour Of the session there were just 5 of us in the left. 2 wave sets were easy. Heaps of waves. More than you can handle.
Did LT get a slot on the Beachgrit team?
negatory.
he will pay full admission so as to not have his views untarnished.
Look forward to that write up. Good call on the neutrality.
.
dunno, read the Slatr one and make up your own mind.
they don't come to me directly.
like Choice reviewers, they are passed on the items by the publisher.
same for me, I'm one step removed.
no favours owed.
edit: shame you removed the question, it was legitimate.
how was the water temp Stu?
Rielly in boardies with the rig out but you're in a l/s spring.
Tell Matson he needs to bend at the knees and not the waist.
any vids?
38° air temp and, I don't know, maybe 20° water?
Aparently the water changes temp a lot.
I wore boardies and a vest all arvo and it was fine. DR tickled the melanin but swapped into a steamer later.
EDIT: Yeah, I think there are some vids to come.
"It’s an exciting time for board designers who will shortly be able to shape boards specifically for a wave with endless repetition."
Really?
We've heard that one since day dot and yet after four years of Kelly's pool, 2 CT's the dominant boards design is standard shortboard in pu/pe construction.
Why would the Melbourne pool be different?
No idea, I haven't surfed the other pools, but I know my boards didn't ride the same way they do in the ocean, and I know the shaper sounded genuinely keen to shape a board specifically for the Beast.
It aint about materials or construction.
Dig into your network and check out some of the boards used in the Kelly tub.
I believe some design tweaks are needed with both outline, concave and fin placement.
I reckon there is a whole article on this ;)
why not, do you think?
Partly I think it's becase the wave doesn't have down the line speed like Kelly's, especially the opening section, and partly because it just doesn't have the push of the ocean. All of which means you need a board that'll sit higher and retain flow.
I duffed many simple top turns on my fave shortboard trying to make it happen, but gave up and went to a short and wide PU which was slightly easier to establish rhythm on and gave me reason to think EPS may be the go, even though I dont like them in the ocean.
did other surfers/media hacks have the same experiences?
The ones I spoke to did.
Same goes Adam Robbo and Cahill Bell-Warren who've surfed it a bunch.
hhhmm......looks like you would want something short and curvy with a tight back end to deal with those extreme curves ......every vid I've seen shows difficulty dealing with that super tight, hollow section.
what do you reckon would go best?
5'10" x 19" or so, with a bit extra tail lift for quick reactions off the bottom.
Maybe EPS but it'd be an experiment for me as I dont 'ride them.
Reading the article, I thought something like a Lost Rocket. Short, wide, and with tons of tail rocker. Deck grip way the fcuk back.
Enjoyed the write up, Stu. Nice to see photos of various non-pro styles. Freeride, really looking forward to your take.
And yes, I'd take my 5'10 Pyzel Nugget and pay the money straight away, if this were in Welly. Soul destroying flat spell of the century here.
I'd guess with an 8 wave set every three minutes, and allowing the pool to settle between waves the period would have to be pretty low? Plus the salinity (and hence density) might be lower than the ocean meaning less bouyancy?
What was Hayden riding..eps ?
edit: Took 3 boards and Holy Grail was the pick
Im interested in how they are gonna sell the waves. Say your in a mixed group with randoms, who gets the call for the waves. Also, a mate who has been filming the goings on there said that whatever wave is on the right is also on the left potentially increasing the discrepancy in ability. He mentioned they may work on a levelling system - work your way too the slab etc.
I figured once they found there feet, they could see what sells and sell blocks of a certain type wave?
All speculation for another couple of months or so.
Well said Bone
Interesting regarding the injury count. Wonder how that will go in the commercial world.
How about swellnet subscribers get a piece of the pie
other big question.
What are they waiting for?
why not open the doors?
Gotta build the infrastructure. While they've built the pool and control room, when it comes to catering for customers they don't even have as much as a turnstyle, just a few shipping containers and a marquee. No buildings, toilets, lawn, trees etc
Kinda dig the prioritising: wavepool first.
Got an email from the travel company that is the official partner with a pre-opening deal and out of curiosity got a quote for a 5h sesh on 28th December.
The price is eye-watering.
how much?
$890
But in fairness does include:
• 1x 5hr unlimited surf session in the URBNSURF Wavepool (max 30 PAX per session)
• Surf all settings including ‘Beast mode’
• Snacks and water plus a few post surf beverages
• Non-surfing guests can enjoy surf lessons in the beginner area free of charge
Haha ......fuck that !
When you include flights I can get at least three weeks living high on the hog in Indo surfing pumping REAL waves with far less people for that expense.
Plus exotic culture , awesome people, unforgettable experiences, amazing food , beautiful places and most importantly......No Melbourne.
Sitting under a flight path squabbling for waist high waves without the down the line speed which makes surfing so much fun ?
No thanks.
PS Great review, Stu and not intending to belittle your experience but for $900 for 5 hours ....I really, really don’t think so.
I'm with you Blowin, I like my surf trip to have a bit more to it than just the waves.
Have no intention of surfing there. Just curiosity got the better of me.
I reckon it’d be worth it. How many people do you know have the stamina to surf for 5hrs. Give it 3hrs you’ll have it to yourself and a handful of others I reckon. At that price itd probably be boomers spending their kids inheritance too. Where do I pay?
Fuck Mibs, I ate pasta for days beforehand, necked bottles of water all morning, nibbled trail mix on the train and scarfed bananas on the plane, and finally I shoved a twin pack of Snickers up my wetty sleeve.
All that and I was rooted after two hours.
The Snickers tripped you up :-)
100% mate. The over froth will get most of em.
Just booked :P
Melbourne is a great city and has stacks of all you talk about in terms of culture, people, food, etc.. it is just not a surf destination (which probably all of the great cities aren't) although an hour or so east or west has good waves. It is a bloody fun novelty this wave garden and costs cash. I agree totally, if you want to go surfing bypass Australia and head straight for Indo somewhere.
Gee $890 for around 25 waves (8 waves every 3 minutes shared between 30 people for 5 hours)... That's a bit steep.
I'd be scrutinizing you're travel agents a bit better. That's more than double the price that urbn surf have mentioned ($79ph). Unless it's some exclusive, pre-opening price?
Thanks for the write up Stu, and sorry that you busted your head. Although you and Tim looked great with the matching bandages. Didn't show the Beast enough respect yesterday and copped nose of my board to the lip, which cleaved it and required super glue. But not bad going I guess after 1,300 or so waves...
Bet you have to put a soft lining on the bottom of your tub , cobber.
Not a good look when a kiddie gets a cracked skull. I’m no fan of litigation and nursing people through life’s trials , but I reckon it’ll become a commercial imperative. Parents won’t be queuing up to watch their kid replicate the death of the decent 14 year old surfer who dies from head injury or broken neck.
It’s not often you’re surfing in knee deep water in nature.
Can't speak for them, but I think there'll be some policy limiting surfers to the top setting.
I'm not sure how that'd work, but I'd really hate to see the wave powered down because of liability issues.
It wasn't knee deep where the lip broke, and besides, I can recall shallower (and sharper) waves quite recently.
Yeah, it's a wave you can really get your teeth into...or it into you.
Great afternoon...
Hey Mr Wonka,
Great to see you on this forum. If I had seen you at the end of yesterday’s session I would have given you a hug....and I don’t normally hug. So much fun. Quick question - why the separation between intermediate and advance 10 pass packs and which waves. Why not just a 10 pack and then you book in which sessions you like ? The reason I ask is to my surprise I really enjoyed Malibu 3 and could see myself on it with both my groms but couldn’t be at the pool and not surf one of the pro turns waves or the beast. So would be good to be able to mix and match. Cheers
Youuu bastards! So jealous, and what a crew to hit it with.
Having serious concerns about surfing it with gen pop and the crowd situation. All it takes is a handful to overestimate their ability and suddenly the pool will be swimming with detritus.
Wave priority will be interesting too, especially for unashamed snakes. Though I guess you can't snake a wall.
Here’s a question :
Will people be more or less likely to snake if they’ve paid for a limited time in the pool ?
Maybe some form of regulation required ?
Once these free gigs are over, everyone will be paying, it'll be the norm. Meaning everyone will be on equal footing with an onus to uphold some semblance of order. The contained area means you can't be a prick then paddle to the next bank. You'll have to face your victim(s) all session and there's a social pressure in that.
That said, I think they're gonna have people in the water keeping order.
I'm surprise people are still unsure about this point: surfers must take turns.
How would you sell it otherwise? Why a recreational surfer like me would pay for it if someone is going to bully his priority over me like in the ocean?
A wave pool appeal lays in the fact that everyone can get the best available wave, in the same number as everyone else, without a line up jungle in the way.
From Urbansurf website: "Surfer priority is managed with a strict (but fair) one-at-a-time system – wait your turn, and when your wave comes, it’s yours."
If you look at the wave in Bristol it's clear there's a guy with a red shirt in the water checking the traffic and surfers are in line for their waves.
Cheers
Pretty hard to drop in with a very defined take off spot and would be so bloody obvious and likewise for snaking. Just no need for it. Book a hour and as long you blow the take off you should catch 10 waves. There is a great current to take you back out between set too :)
Yeh most crew I speak to
Are stoked about it - particularly with the winds being unfavourable of
Late. My mate lives 20 min from there so he got a foundation membership which means he gets to surf it this weekend. Look forward to his wrap up - he rips so maybe “Tulla boardriders” will be ok!
Willy Wonka’s Tullawatu is like Disneyland especially when it’s 38 degrees and northerly as it was on Monday. I was lucky enough to be in the morning session on Monday. It was hilarious to see all the afternoon guys rushing to get their gear on when they turned it on for their session. Doesn’t take long to realise there’s an endless supply of waves and you need re-adjust to what’s “normal”. $900 for five hours? I don’t think I could last that long. Maybe on Beast mode and just tucking into barrels the whole time. If I could last that long I reckon I’d pay it. I’ve spent a lot more on a lot less. At $80 an hour for 10 waves I’ll be back. As far as boards go, short and flat for Beast mode. A liitle 5’6-5’8 bonnzer or Hypto sort of thing to slot into those sucky little pits.
I guess my questions are....
Did you and or ben check the forecast and head to either/any of the coasts after the session, or turn your back on the ocean and just return to the airport ?
Did it feel like a surftrip, or something else ?
How many boards, fins, wetsuits did you pack?
Any excitement to surf the Surf Lakes as to compare the tub experience?
Did you feel like borrowing,riding some elses board that looked to be performing better in wave pool?
what colour gath helmet ?
Ha ha...
Despite the recent good run, on Monday Tullamarine, 100kms from a surfable coast, had the best waves in Vicco.
I went straight home, couldn't surf anyway, and still haven't, but Ben went and stayed down TQ and the next day surfed somewhere along the Great Ocean Road. Can't recall location.
Yep, it felt like a surf trip. The days prior I potted about the shed choosing board bag, boards, fins, packing wax and leggies etc. I enjoy that aspect and this was no different.
Two boards: 5'11" x 18 3/4" PU basalt asymm, and 5'10" x 19" PU asymm. Two sets of C-Drive fins, both quads. Five cakes of wax of varying blends as I didn't know water temp. One 2mm steamer that stayed dry, one vest, one pair of boardies.
I haven't thought much about Surf Lakes. I might look at the footage and compare.
It threw me when my boards weren't working - I'd never had that before. I saw a fella called Lincoln Eather on a yellow Will Webber EPS that caught my eye. Vaughan's board too. I should've spent more time tyre kicking different boards because I want to go again and I feel like I don't have the equipment.
White, first gen Gath. Bought it before a Cactus trip in early '94 and wore it at big Backdoors and have never had that wave as good again.
I did a poo through a hole in the shelf once at Backdoors. Got my arse cleaned by nature's bidet/blowhole. No helmet required.
Hey Mate
2 questions:
I always thought that a good wavepool would be good for a shaper to fine tune their shapes but by the sounds of it, it will be more that you will have to design models for wavepools exclusively?
2nd one more for my personal interest.. Hows the basalt board holding up?
@sanded ... "I always thought that a good wavepool would be good for a shaper to fine tune their shapes but by the sounds of it, it will be more that you will have to design models for wavepools exclusively?"
Yep, you now need a 'wave tub' quiver too!
Everyone forgets the influence of chemistry.
I think we'll see some refinement in rail shape / rail profile for 'tub boards' in the not too distant future. A combination of outline curve change, concave change and rail profile will feel very different in the 'under the arm' test.
What's offshore?
True offshore is nor-east on the left and probably north on the right, which is what we had during the visit, though I'm not sure how adversely a south wind would effect it as the wave breaks way up in the corner of the pool so an onshore wind has little fetch to damage it.
Maybe it wont look as pretty but I'm fairly certain it'll still barrel.
I surfed it in a 25kt SW, apparently was the coldest November day in 30 years or so!
You're right Stu, it still barrelled in beast mode. I managed plenty of little chandeliering tubes and one in particular that give a nice spit and got the stoke on. Can only imagine that could be every wave with better winds.
I haven't seen it in an offshore but I think the onshore mostly affected the ability of the waves to maintain quality down the end of the line where the wind has had a chance to get back to full strength on the surface. There wasn't much on offer after the first couple of sections once a few waves had rolled through. They were running 12 wave sets and the quality of the first half of the wave was good all the way through the set. It seemed the only real reason to pause was to clear the line up.
This is a great read! I’m out there this weekend, have they got hire boards to try yet? You’ve got me worried now that there’s every chance something could happen to the two I’m taking and then I’m stuffed!
Did you make the layback?
Don't think I made that one, but I reckon I had a 50/50 success rate on them.
Nice.
Thems good odds.
I reckon it looks like great fun regardless of the cost.
Great read.
Shallow water and concrete bottom, what were they thinking?
My question: if you’re one of 16 in the water and you catch the first wave in the set to it’s end, how long does it take to paddle back out to the waiting area frothing for your next wave?
I don't know, two minutes maybe?
Thing is, by the end of the set there's a whopping great current pushing down the pool, strong enough that it's hard to stand against, so if you play it right you can paddle to the inside edge of the pool and let the current take you back out towards the takeoff. You barely need to paddle.
Waco is like that
I heard the uk one is only at half power coz they are scared of people getting hurt . My question is is there a less gnarly barrel setting than the beast?
Yep, there are a couple of barrel settings. They're less intense than the Beast, and a longer barrel section too.
Got a mate who was down there for the morning session Stu, the 5 hours or so before you arrived. Similar experience to yourself, much heavier that first expected, had a couple of big wipeouts and also got some great barrels. However, unlikely to go back again as a paying customer. He had probably 3 trips worth in one, got his fill and left the place in some respects quite satisfied, in others underwhelmed.
Great for technical progression, terrible as a traditional surfing experience.
Depends what you want, not sure it can break even as a stand-alone entity
"So I slid over to the less populated left which, while still on Beast mode, was putting out a scaled down imitation of Blacks,"
Uplift would be in a fit of convulsions with that statement.
Let's see it survive the inevitability of a lost eye and a broken neck.
You went with professionals...with pens...imagine being in there with punters.
Still a no from me....and I'm reckless.
I’d love to give it a crack, if you pardon the pun.
Just saw this in an email from one of those surf travel companies
'Grab a bunch of mates and book the 90 Wave Weekend (6 x 1 hour surf sessions over 2 days), including 2 nights accommodation for only $890!'
Applies for pre-opening dates, 27th and 28th of december
When you look at this from a snowsports perspective dollar wise, it's a pretty bloody reasonable deal $-wise
Just had the pleasure of surfing the pool yesterday Stu, Found the same as you , bogged far to many turns but had so much fun. Became another victim of the Beast copping three stitches and a trip to the hospital with mild concussion. Still , I'd love to go back .
Injuries from the bottom, your board or another board?
Hit the bottom
Bugger.
Maybe as when I snowboard I need to get myself a helmet for surfing the Beast?
Aircraft noise ?
Very little, the main noise is a high pitch hum as they fire up the wave machine tech. It's quite funny how excited you get when you hear the noise and everyone knows a set is being produced . Everyone starts hooting
Can only really hear occasional A380 taking off (bigger engines) when you have onshore winds blowing noise across from the runways
They have advertised for Surf Guides. careers@urbnsurf.com
Job description "Surf Guides are responsible for ensuring they promote a positive and safe surf culture within URBNSRF. The Surf Guides will ensure guest safety by offering clear instructions and monitoring surf etiquette during surf sessions"
Perks include access to all crew benefits (including surf time).
Long commute from the Surf Coast.........
How would a "mature aged" surfer who's current board of choice is 9'3" and just likes cruising down the line go? Would some of the more mellow wave settings suit? My next favourite board is my 7'6" nugget
We've got some cool upper intermediate settings for logs and twinnies, M3 and M4, which peel nice, have enough power, but won't flog you.
There was mature aged bloke out yesterday on a mal. After a careful start he was right into it. After a while he went to a shorter board but ended up going back in and grabbing the mal. He was riding the beast mode really well.
Crew salutes Mr Ross on good natured sporting spirit + also welcome aboard.
Stu's honest account & postcards has hit pay dirt for all parties. Cheers to all.
Stu raises so many valid points that have & will be examined in more detail.
Airport transit sad'n'sorry Hello/Goodbye need not have played out!
URBNSURF have kindly invited SV & LSV to Wavepark patrolled by LSV.
re: Vic PT [V/Line Coast exception ]< Board Travel >[Airport < > Wave Pool Precinct]
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/luggage-allowa...
Helmets are the rule for all under 18's at Bristol & also for Taj @ WA Surf House
https://www.communitynews.com.au/joondalup-times/sport/joondalup-taj-bur...
Surprisingly here, everything is mentioned, hired & sold but (Stack hatz & Flipperz)
Consider the Pool has double wave count over a rough textured concrete base.
That rules out a lot of Learners + Basherz + Gromz + Boogerz...just saying.
We discussed how wave count & hard shallow base is holding back free surfing.
Stu highlights dead zone & needing 3-4 waves to clear line. (Slab vid 3 block 1 surfer)
This is a common time to clear... building to 6 surfers blocking the line per wave.
Wave Parks insist surfers to ride solo...(A longer queue in damaged wave refund isle!)
URBNSURF increase hard surfboard count in clear face zone (WR Certificate?)
Over half the Bristol / Waco waves are blocked with bear traps > re: collisions.
URBNSURF is selling Ding repair for a reason...(#1 Pool Product for Head & Board?)
Wave Pool Golden Rule > Promo > gear it down > bump surfboards to a/h sessions.
Not saying for here but Swim/Schools/Nippers/Clubbies/Basherz/Sups are to share.
Stu warns of faster wave train leaving less escape time, increases danger.
tbb is saying Stu's rough patch plays out more as wave count increases...It's very real.
Stu's Blood & Guts account better prepares visitors & therefore helps URBNSURF.
Crew wouldn't accept otherwise from swellnet ...Good Luck to Mr Ross & Team.
PS: Special thanx for sharing the barrel shots, agree! Crew demand xxx Pool Vid.
Great Team building...get well soon Stu, love yer work as always!
Good read
It's weird that they wouldn't have lined the bottom with a foam or rubber type thing if it's that shallow, you would still hurt yourself but it would help a bit.
I reckon they should line it with aggregate and rebar and toss in a few buckets of angry sea-urchins to give it that real reef experience.
When you hit the bottom you could call it the 'Tulla-kiss'.
I think crew have not been fully respecting the situation - saw a surf journo (who won't be named) get up and overed by the Beast and he had a massive grin on his face as he fell from 10ft into the lagoon arms and legs spread. If it was coral reef below, there is no way he would have done that. There is a bit of learning required, crew need to appropriately protect themselves when they come off to minimise injury.
You should do a promo and tie it in with a wax company and put five golden tickets in bars of wax.
Five lucky surfers get an all inclusive day at the Tulla tub and at the end the most worthy gets to inherit the whole place and move his previously destitute family in to the facility and surf happily ever after.
Well, maybe don't go that far but the idea has merit wouldn't you agree?
You could even get that annoying short guy from the Mad-Hueys, he could be the Oompa Loompa.
The marketing practically writes itself.
Ha! Love it - will have a chat to the guys at Creatures who supply all of our Sex Wax at the lagoon and see what we can do.
how about some nice soft mermaids?
I am your average Joe in surfing ability albeit frothing more than most near 50 year olds. Surfed it all day yesterday - it is unbelievably fun on every setting. Something for everyone. The whole feeling of being in waves in a pool was so much better than I expected. Almost everyone on every wave was hooted with genuine stoke. Waves - the full range and lots and lots of them. Interesting even on the same setting every wave is a little bit different. It was like a great boat trip squeezed into a day. The beer at the end of the day we’re good too. Didn’t catch a hundred but got to 78.
I really really like this comment :)
Have dropped 700 on a ten (surf's) pack.
Have even bought an EPS board specifically for the pool.
Honestly, with young kids, running a small business and not much spare time locking in a surf in the pool once or twice a month can not be underestimated.
I'll still surf the ocean, no less (in) frequently!
You will love it for sure. I reckon you will two of those ten each visit because one hour will leave you wanting more....
Suggest one hour in the pool, chill for a hour and then another one in. Start with one of the 'turns' waves and finish with 'Pro turns 5'.....or the BEAST if you love a barrel and getting worked !
Spot on, we want to be a supplement to your ocean surfing so you can just get amongst it more than you otherwise would
Glad to hear you had a good time, and yeah, that's the thing that has surprised me the most - the variation between waves within the same set, and then how changes in the wind affects the waves as well. Although the waves are man made, it has an organic feel to it. Keeps things interesting and you on your toes trying to anticipate the changes.
Hi Lost, how about fitness?
Were your legs done? Arms? Would you suggest lots of squats?
Thanks
Legs were fine. Felt it across the back and shoulders from all the paddling. There is a channel/rip that zips you out but you have to paddle across to it. Old habits die hard - no point trying to punch out if you miss one or fall off early - just zip in and hi the channel. Enjoy
Thanks man, can't wait. Cheers.
Skateparks with hard concrete all over the country and no one seems to stress about that. Seen some crazy stacks at em too. At least pool bottom is smooth most real surfers are used to surfing over jagged reef. I reckon the pool is great for someone who is time poor (ie family responsibilities) and just wants to bag a bunch of good shapes waves quickly
Good points
Not many 50 year old men hit the skatepark with their mates and get goaded into dropping into the bowl after having not seen one for a decade.
I'm flying back home next year for a visit- i'm quite tempted to see if we can re-route through Melbourne.
You've certainly piqued my interest Mr. Nettle.
You’ll have to pass through to claim your commission session for suggesting the awesome Golden Ticket Promo.
It's ok Blowy, they can have that one for free.
Just remember, you read it here on SN first.
Then again- it they were going to give one away...
Mate , zero chance they’re letting you in for free.
Hit them up.
I travel to Melb a fair bit and after spending the day at pool am already thinking why not a few hours in the pool before flying home or a few early before heading into work.
You’d be mad not to.
Imagine if there was a wave pool next to your airport during a transit stopover of more than a few hours.....
What is the deal with the Sydney one willy wonka? when are they going to start building that?
We are in the detailed design phase at the moment (incorporating the lessons learned from Melbs). Construction should kick off mid year 2020, for a planned opening of late 2021.
Dare i ask if one is planned for Adelaide Airport?, the area behind Harbor town would be perfect.
Will the Sydney one be a carbon copy? Or are you looking to tweak it a little?
Can't wait for the Sydney one ... If you need Comms engineering advice in Sydney let me know ;-) Anyhow just out of curiosity, who are the engineers working on the detailed design?
I’m thinking this may just soak up some of the surfers from the ocean. Crew wanting guaranteed returns in the tub ....why roll the dice in the ocean ?
Set the joint up with a brothel / casino next door and you’ll have half the boys trips in Australia locked in.
Something like early days Stadium Blowin?
I saw in the paper today some trendy renowned restaurant is going into the place.
Have to say i was surprised on that one.
Three Blue Ducks are awesome guys, all surf, have a big sustainability focus, can't be happier to have partnered with them.
I’m getting keener for this by the day. Can’t wait to check it out
Tulla surfcam ???
Well done Mr Wonka; and Stu, what a great writeup, great to see you guys into it too.
This line:
"Like Charlie, I got the golden ticket to the chocolate factory; an email with an invitation that was RSVPed ASAP. Ben Matson got one too, as did a few other media folk, surfing and otherwise."
...had me thinking "Where was Craig?"
and reminded me of the start to this:
VJ ...very good Laugh
Roundabout way of asking if Craig was on beastcam.
Who stapled swellnet Wave Models into the Centrefold?
Does look like you’d be flat out managing to have a bad time there.
Injuries excepted.
Was Craig on a boat?
Couple of questions for Willy Wonka.
1. Will there be Gath helmets for hire? haha
2. When are we going to see some bodyboarder footage? We'll be paying for this thing too!
Hoping to avoid having to enforce Gaths - only really necessary for the Beast (which is where we have had a few minor injuries). Keep in mind we pushed through 40,000 waves last week..
I was surfing with Justin Kirkpatrick the other week. He was out for about 8hrs in the lagoon and fuckin rips. Will drop some footage of his monster drop knee turns and deep barrels soon.
There was a booger out there in our session yesterday. He was loving life. He was taking off up against the wall and getting piped. Great to watch.
@stunet or @thermalben or @willywonka or anyone else who has surfed it...
Tech question(s) for ya:
- Is water flowing back 'out' into the wave to help it "rise and break"?
- How is the water kept clean? What type of chlorination?
- Is the 'wave' generation at an angle to the "wall", so it's like a 'rebound' effect?
- How does the 'bottom turn' push feel compared to an ocean wave?
PS: Stu, 'the Fup' is what you needed ;) ... missed opportunity for ya Ben!
Chlorine..lightly chlorinated to levels the same as drinking water...so if your thirsty you can have a guzzle of poolwater on the paddle back out..
Amdrew Ross said that ! ?
Sticky Question...no one's being rude here!
Water Process is patented from higher up! (No go zone!)
HQ + Airport Precinct protocol.(Nothing suss!)
tbb read the same as udo...
Mr Ross refers to drinking from Spain wavegarden.
Particular Spanish pool is fed by adjacent Urola River.
Perth wave pool by groundwater. (info Accessible online)
Syd/Melb Wave Pool water is supplied by recycled schemes.
Sydney wave pool harvest is similar & Docs are open to public.
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/5111
Assessment P 25... is open & accessible?
note: Equally happy to remove link.
Hi tech process eg: (Each are different & patented)
https://rjrnrwxhqnqk5p.ldycdn.com/cloud/jkBqnKonSRojoknkipj/Pure-Water.jpg
Downtown example...
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2018/09/23/b881590821z1_2018092...
Water vending Units recycle Flu germs,slops then refill flask.
All with no water feed.(similar deal) even saw one in Aldi!
Oz defence usually rig up similar after catastrophe.
It's not the bottom that gives me the Willie's...Willy.
You're right the bottom creates waves and it's a must to have techniques to mediate this constant risk anywhere we surf.
It is the other surfers...ie 80kg and a sharp instrument coming at you with a frequency and regularity that exceeds what is normal.
I know you have had a lot of haters from day 1 and I'm really not one of them, definetly more a fence sitter.
But to get me off the fence (and I'd imagine a few others) I'd like to hear about how and why the injuries seem to be stacking up.
Is it all by hitting the bottom?
I do risky endeavours regularly and am not a shrinking violet.
I do also a lot of risk management and try to really understand the potentially fail points before they happen.
We have pushed through about 200,000 waves so far and have had a few stitches, being a mix of hitting your own board or the floor. I am not aware of any surfer on surfer injuries yet. We instruct everyone that falls to let themselves get washed in by the wave, and then the next one, to get out of the impact zone.
Instinctively, people try to grab boards and get ready to duck dive nad paddle out the back, but it is not possible with the currents. It is far quicker (and safer) to get washed into the lagoon a bit and let the circulating currents and the big rip by the dividing wall take you out the back again.
Cheers for the answer.
I am surprised.
I'll reserve future judgment till I see it first hand and get a better understanding of how it all works.
Good point MM ....seems just from the feed back there were qiute a few casualties and they were guys who knew what they were doing...?...throw in kooks and it could be a nightmare.....??????????????????????????????//////
Does anyone know how Balsa boards perform in freshwater ?
Mr Willy Wonka - if you buy a 10 trip pass when can you use it ? There seems to be limited info in your website around the conditions on that pass. Would be great to be able to book four sessions over two days and fly down for the night.
Pretty sure you can just binge them all at once if you want. I'll check with the team and post back here if I'm wrong. Foundation members will get first crack at the booking engine when it opens (likely end of next week). Will offer a rolling 6 weeks to book ahead.
I really think you should give more time ahead for booking. Coming from QLD like me, I need to plan in advance and be able to book a number of sessions maybe on different days. 6 weeks it's a very short time-frame for taking work leave and booking accommodation.
Thanks.
Mr Wonka,
I work three minutes from your tub.
Sad, I know, that I timed the trip returning to work after grabbing some lunch in Melrose Drive.
Knowing that all these folk are 'testing' the tub everyday while I'm slaving away so close by is becoming really hard to take.
Can we get more 'full building site mode' and less 'beast mode' so the place is public ready ASAP?
cheers.
Don't worry WarriSymbol, the crew that are meant to be swinging hammers and pouring mud are doing just that. Those of us who don't have those skills are getting piped..
So is there consensus that the tub would help your surfing in the ocean? Or is the different between fresh water and salt too different?
100% it can help improve your surfing. Especially if you add a coach to work on certain things.
Great critique thanks Stu.
Kudos to Willy and the Oompa Loompa's for creating what many surfers have dreamt of f o r decades.
Without a doubt it looks by all accounts like a barrel of good times.
The tyranny of distance precludes me from getting there any time soon.
The justification to my family of the cost to go surf some tub tubes is also a limiting factor. For the cost of 1 hours surfing I could get a 12 month subscription to Swellnet.
Can a parent sign a waiver for someone under 18.?
Considering the injury toll, does it become a duty of care to at least provide a helmet (like in commercial white water rafting)?
And more importantly,
Will there be ever-lasting gobstoppers for sale?
All guests between 6yrs and 17yrs need releases and waivers signed by parents to be able to enter the lagoon.
In terms of injury toll, we have had about 6 set of stitches in 200,000 waves produced - and a fair proportion of those have been the Beast, with people getting to know it. I'm not sure what the comparison would be to injuries in the ocean, but it feels like it is pretty similar.
Gday Mr Wonka
Had a ball at your wave factory last week, thanks for the low numbers ;)
Looking forward to my sessions next week.
I'm hearing mixed comments about if you guys will be running the 'Beast mode' for advanced sessions - feedback around my session last week was what we surfed wasn't the beast (fun was had by all though).
Can you confirm if you'll be releasing the beast for advanced sessions?
Thanks
Frodge
Maybe not Westie but I'm guessing sooner than later they'll have Fizzy Lifting drinks on tap and no doubt lickable wallpaper.
BTW Mr. Wonka- silly question but will there be gear hire in the future for those that fly in or are in transit?
Yep will have a couple of hundred boards for hire and Rippy delivered 300 fresh heatseekers to us for the hire store last week
Why arn't all the high profile surfers and surf media involved in the Equinor battle protesting about the use of coal power and water to build and keep this joint running.
Hypocrites when it suits themselves. lol.
because you're an idiot
Nice, enjoy your sunday :)
No worries - you're welcome. You made an insulting assertion without supplying one iota of logical support for your point of view so I just thought I'd return the favour to see how you'd like it. Anyway you seemed to quite enjoy it - and I certainly did - so I reckon it's been a win all round.
Hi Robo, sustainability is a core focus for us - as surfers we all have a deep green core and we are trying to do all we can to minimise our impact on the planet. To that end, the lagoon is the largest recycled concrete structure in Australia, from 1 Jan we will be supplied100% renewable power from a mix of hydro electricity and solar farms via Momentum Energy, we are tapped in to use harvested and recycled stormwater from Melbourne Airport to fill the lagoon, and we use heat pumps in the changerooms to provide hot water (using renewable power). If we break boards in the hire fleet, we will fix them up, not throw them out, and donate them to kids who are less forunate. Partnering with the Three Blue Ducks was also about knowing the F&B would be ethically sourced, have no single use plastics and would be as sustainable as possible, because that is what the Ducks are about (we are looking at having pigs and chickens on site to eat the green waste). In terms of transport, we are looking at ways to make it easier for people to access the park in a sustainable way (exploring electric car chargers in the carpark, encourage people to offset their plane emissions etc).
If you have any ideas to throw into the mix, that would be awesome, would be happy to hear them. Cheers Andy
URBNSURF bird seed trail copped flack mostly from tbb.
Fair to say the whole crew were tying up lose ends.
Proud to have Willy Wonka here with us @ #1 swellnet
Thanks so much for showcasing what is clearly a better way.
Most thoughtful & kind to share such innovative breakthroughs.
Simply by extolling a universal wave pool is reward in itself.
Roary's wave of the day ~~~^~~~/(`~~~/C...../(C`...[-ww- )
Willy, curious as to how the recycled stormwater is being treated? There's been stories recently of potentially carcinogenic runoff from the hunter valley airport & the sunshine airport due to firefighting foam used on site IIRC?
On sustainability, are you heating the pool? There's a few tricks you can use to recover waste heat from your building's air conditioning to help with heating the water.
Also, what's the plan for water refill when there's not enough stormwater?
I can see Robo now- "but, but, but..."
Nope, sounds good to me.
Hi Andy,
That all sounds great, would keep costs down too, doesn't worry me personally how it runs. So all that has appeased those i asked about in my question?
No climate changer floggers or greenies or coal/Equinor protestors have come knocking on your door?
Cheers
Robo
ps, even if they did and most won't as on a budget, but surfers flying in offsetting their carbon emissions ain't going to make any difference, c'mon lol.
Hi Robo, we all do the best we can I guess, and with the current state of things, we should all do more (why the hell don't we have strong political leadership getting rid of coal fired power in Australia, it is ridiculous).
We are a mission led business where we are trying to place people and planet alongside profits. We haven't had anyone call us out on our enviro credentials at this stage. We are open to hear how we can do better.
Keep in mind we use less than half the energy of a suburban aquatic centre and about 10% of the water of an 18 hole golf course per annum.
I've read that the single best thing an individual can do to positively impact climate change is to become a vegan and to stop flying on planes. I pass on the first one and fail terribly on the second. I carbon offset my flights, but who knows if that helps in any appreciable way (probably just adds to QF profits). Cheers Andy
I’ve surfed it yesterday and I’m paid up for a year. I can’t wait to go back. It was absolutely mind blowing and I can’t stop thinking about it. But.... I keep wondering how I’ll feel when the day I booked in advance is the day of the year at my local beach. That will be tough one for me. Do I go there or blow it off for the ocean. Or go to the pool and miss 6-8 foot standup barrels. Any thoughts?
6-8ft standup barrels in Vicco? I think you'll be right mate, chances are pretty slim haha
I’m in Sydney.
Haha, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out in a year or two down the road. Will surfers still appreciate the real Ocean and all its good vibes--or will it be too much of a hassle-- surf checks, crowds, long paddles, competition for waves. Will they fall asleep dreaming about the Ocean or a wave tank,? I think something 'special' in our surf experience has been lost here. Have they traded the Magic for Perfection--and at what cost. A paid artificial experience without nature. Time will tell...................
I'll make a bold prediction.
The 'success' of wave pools will become there undoing.
Users will flock to them, creating demand so more will be built all around the country. With more pools, comes more supply, and in turn will come price competition. This will reduce the profit margins and then as people want more (better waves, new waves, another experience, etc) the pool operators will have to keep inventing new waves, set ups, etc. so costs go up, but price competition keeps the margins low.
Energy prices and water costs will increase massively over the next 5 years.
Operators will go bust and the pools will sit unused like a wasteland until the skate community decide to 'repeat history' and claim them as their own 'fun park', except with no admission fee and some new wall art graphics.
All this will halve the number of surfers in the ocean, initially as people flock to the wave pools for the ease, convenience etc. and then as they have boards for the 'pools' and not the ocean. Ocean surfing will be too hard, so the numbers will decline.
Board brands will get labelled as 'ocean' boards or 'pool' boards and some will chase the flock into the pool market, others will stay 'core' to the ocean market. Both types will suffer. Ocean style will have a reduced market and will shed a number of brands. Pool style will boom and then bust.
This I predict is a 7-10 year cycle. Boom for pools in the next 3-5, then increased competition 5-7 years and then slow decline 7-10 years.
PS: I suspect there will also be a significant legal issue for a pool operator due to health impacts from using 'recycled' (i.e. treated sewer) and or 'run off' waters. The effects will not be known for 5-7 years, and then the impact will be too late to repair for those effected.
I guess we will see.
Also, there is a difference between recycling sewer water and stormwater, I was referring to stormwater. It is the same recycled stormwater that is currently used to irrigate the Essendon footy club playing fields. It is bio-filtered, carbon filtered, chlorinated and treated to near drinking water quality.
Will just be another wet and wild attraction, hope they have plenty of boogers to hire. They wont be able to sustain it with real surfers.
As far as chlorine we swapped our salt water pool to magnesium a few years ago, so could be done, guess chlorine is cheaper.
Would love to reduce/eliminate chlorine from the lagoon, but health department says no. They still believe the world is flat.
And not being able to sustain it with "real surfers", if that means you, well your loss, not ours.
ok, $70 a hour to surf in re used treated chlorine water, lol. sounds fun.
you're right. it does
Recently i surfed out of desperation a 1 foot, onshore toxic rivermouth.
At that time would i have paid $70 to get barrelled off my tits for an hour in sparkling blue chlorinated water?
Shit yeah!
plus airfares/accomodation for an extra foot of chlorinated concrete, bargain.
Robo - please supply your definition of a 'real' surfer
Why not? I'd make it an occasion. Stump up for a nice hotel for my lady, have a lovely dinner, bit of shopping, go to an AFL game, great coffee.
Jeez, i'm almost talking myself into it Robo.
Zen.....please , please , please do not even consider flying from Japan to stinking Melbourne and virtually over the top of Indonesia to surf a 50 metre long , 2ft high swimming pool wave in a steamer.
I’ll grant that Indo is hot and sweaty , chaotic and a bit dangerous, crowded at the famous breaks and home to more Euro gronks than Europe itself, but then there’s this....
And no amount of practicing to ride a split second cover up in chlorinated water will compare to just one of those waves.
Sure , the pool may be the funnest thing in Victoria, but really , is that saying much ?
Big Hi to all my Vicco mates !
Kerrist that's a great clip, that first song, that wave, their surfing.
Chicken skin like a frill-necked lizard.
It’s a great vid. I really like the start with Fanning and Ho talking shit.*
Then when the Oz Crawl kicks in......if you haven’t got itchy feet and a desire to get proper pitted in bath warm water after than then best get yourself to a defibrillator ASAP.
You’re a particularly lucky bastard , Stu . Was a big fortnight for you - from Stone Age adventuring to mechanical futurism....and the scars to prove it !
* Shame that Fanning might be the last from the genuine Aussie animal mould. No amount of stage -managed giving the finger to the sponsor’s camera by the young crew will ever equal this effort from a couple of world champs ....
I can just hear the WSL crying .....”Won’t anyone think of the best interests of the sport !?!? “
PS The Blakey brothers have done a lot for the culture of the sport . I salute your efforts ,gentlemen . ( pretty sure Doped Youth was their work )
Thanks Blowin, forgot all about Doped Youth...all time favourite and then theres Red monkey full moon...all time as well... and i think Vaughn Blakey was behind both vids...must be a twisted cunt but fuk hes got a good sense of humour.
Doped youth gets a mention.. fuck me!
On ya blowin, you are a legend in my book.
Of course Blowy but I come back to visit family on average every second year and I have friends in Melbourne, so I reckon it would be worth having a stab.
zenagain hits the jackpot.
Cyclones flow raw sewage thru all surf breaks.
Premier: (Exceeds 500 x safe levels)"No Surfing"
Skeg:
"I think she said - Surfs Up...everyone hit the WSR"
"This is some good shit, man!"
Stu net, Reilly (Beach grit )threw you under the bus.
Great to read the positive reviews from people who have taken the ride
Can we actually call it surfing though?
Were your boards too long Stu net ?
Was it hard to paddle into the waves?
Too much rocker on boards or just not enough rocker ?
I can see most surfers on mid 5 ' length boards if not even smaller
Quad fins being a preferred fin set up also.
I surprised you didn't have alternate ( conventional ) fins .
Not really following, LD.
Dez was circumspect while you're gushing.
So circumspect he's heading back for a third session this week!
Anyway, after thinking about the pool, and over the past week I've done a surprising amount of that, I reckon I should've ridden conventional fins. Reckon C-Drive's need to be going fast to work, and reflecting on the feeling, it wasn't unlike when I first started riding them.
Really easy to paddle into the waves - no problem there.
I'd ride my 5'10 but set with a normal quad set, and try to get hold of a shorter, wider EPS as well. Maybe borrow one from down there.
Reilly was sincerely nice I thought.
Yeah, nah...but it's what you expect, no?
The beach grit bus drives over everyone.
Reilly even throws himself under it in the article.
I'm only kidding Stu net!
I actually thought he was genuine about you Stu too.
You two got history?
Zero.
I said g'day to him for the very first time when he paddled out at Sandon last year. I don't think he even knew who I was.
Interesting debate unfolding.
A bit of info to help!!!!
Williamtown RAAF base installed water tanks to harvest water from airport buildings for staff to drink ! Recently, after many staff had health issues, apparently from the water, an investigation is underway.
Another problem since the PAFS class action against this base is ongoing in the Courts.
I am curios to know what toxic shit is being collected of the runways/ buildings at Tulla and gleefully accepted by the Tulla tub for treatment.(any info available)
I'm with Robo and others, surfing / swimming in chlorinated water and who knows what else is gross, and I will never swim in a chlorinated pool while the ocean is at my doorstep.
About 30 years ago I experienced the wave pool in Japan, an impressive facility but only for boogie boarding. Did it to get a little relief from the Tokyo summer heat.
5-7 years later the facility was demolished for housing. While in use it was packed and even with Tokyo's 25 mil population to draw from, it was not financially viable.
Back then surfing was popular and growing, went over to Niijima Island to surf and as far as one could see in both directions it was shoulder to shoulder with surfers. Actually had some fun waves and the water was clean and the warmest I've ever surfed in.
Niijima is lovely isn't it.
And the natural hotsprings that dot the coastline are great to soak in.
You're pretty much limited to the beackbreak but you can get some nice waves there.
Zen
Yes we did spend an hour or 2 in natural rock hot springs, I think on the west coast on Niijima.
It was a great experience and after a days surfing, walking through the village to find a feed we could not believe the amount of young surfers walking the streets with head, leg, arm bandages. I got the missus to ask some guys what was going on?
The way they were throwing their boards around in the surf I suspected surf injuries.
Yep!!
Surfboard riders are only one of many users of Wavepools
Adaptive > Nipper Clubs > Defence Dogs > Sup's > Canoes > Rafts > Wind Surfers >
Jetski -Snow ski -Cable ski > Row Boats > Swift water Rescues-Vehicles > Fish...etc
Surf Craft Pools- Portobello UK > 1966 Surf-a-Torium Japan > 1969 Big Surf USA
UK(closed) Japan (Loops only) USA (1hr pm only S/boards)
Big Surf Happy 50th >(No WSR or Surfing Respect) vs [US engineers Heritage listed]
Big Surf Cable Wake boards out < > dodge Surfboard Party wavers in (Outrageous)
Note: same wave pool bans boogers with swimmers (Pool forever adapts to survive)
Near all Surfboard compliant wavepools geared down waves & Surfboard access.
Surfboard sessions (clubs) restricted to a/h 1hr-4hrs usually of an evening.
Bodyboards were also slowly removed from Wave Pools (Separate sessions)
Australia 1984 Wet'n'Wild -2001 Monash indoor boogerz-2008 Darwin boogerz
Both Booger pools are going strong. Darwin cheapest/best wave value in world.
Endless resort waves for less than 1 cent (Cheaper than [P] City beach breaks)
https://www.topendshortstays.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IOB066834...
2005 Outback Bay has best 'openly available' Oz waves to surf...(Sorry! No boards)
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528970-d1551445-...
2005 Parks ban Hard boards in wave/pools (Toboggans Ply/Plastic/Fibreglass) >
2006 Dreamworld -Stand alone Flow wave -'Rounded off safer small-lite-Boards'
2007 Dreamworld introduce a/h Softie Stand-up > 2012 SA-learner clubs
2018 WA Aloha Surfhouse returns fibreglass boards (again-Stand alone wave pool)
Note from Hard boards to #1 WA Pro on Softie in stack hat promo all within 1 year.
Just to be clear Stand up surfing is popular but stack hats ruin Chix selfie & Pros cred)
Everyone swamps to view Pros/Chix in all their glory.
OZ currently runs over a dozen stand-up wavecraft facilities of all description.
Current Guidelines change per council > state > Pool > Park > Lagoon
1-2 stand-up hard boards per wave (WA allows private partnered wave bookings )
6-12 stand-up softies per 'open' wave (Based on general OHS group supervision)
10 Body boards (indoor wave) but only 4 Stand up Softies ( Falling from height issue)
Operators are entitled to more but swear the lower set numbers work better.
*tbb is not implying guidelines relate to URBNSURF Airport Precinct.
Councils rarely endorse Scooter hire due to Height x Speed (Becomes a Flight Risk?)
Boogerz often battle Lifeguards over Drop Knee invasions.(Human Projectile volley)
tbb is saying it's Height + Dangerous Craft that impedes the all in affair.
Darwin Pool best examples a Universal Wave Pool but warns on Stand Up surfers
Able Lifeguards would be sacked for recreating in impaired Cameramen lineups
Pro Surfer can fall from board to bodysurf where bodysurfers are banned from pool.
Access is less about safety or surfing ability but 100% 3rd party agenda.
Pool & Patrol Rules completely flip for each country. eg: (Nude wave pools)
Skateboard timeline is a likewise example
1970's Chix & Guys skated as a group (Fun)
1975 Skate Ramps were mostly (Mate's place only)
1979 Skate Bowls (Steep dark pit, graffiti, broken glass in barefoot era)
Boyz only zone of drugz & grog > (Hate on Chix gen-wiped out sisters)
1997 Skate Parks of families afforded all age gender + all modes access
Scooters/BMX/Pennies/Cruisers 6 to 60 y/olds
2000's Parks incorporated polished smooth bowls
2010's (Lights-Cams) & now Pro Chix drop in.
Fair to view new gen Wave Pools as (rough'n'tumble) Skate Bowl era.
Albeit with a promise of Universal Airy Fairy Wave Parks
New wavers skip turnstiles & bin stickerz whilst freely surfing their towns back to life.
https://s2odesign.com/s2o/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/san-marcos_1-openin...
https://s2odesign.com/
I was thinking today:
Ive got to say these guys have done a pretty good job of this pool thing, while others are just full of talk and plans for years on wave pools, these guys came in said they are going to do it, then built it and actually got it done in a reasonable time frame and made a decent wave and even the price IMHO is fair a bit cheaper than i expected.
In all honestly although i was one of the more positive posters on original news, i was just expecting more empty talk and even if it got built a half arsed wave.
So basically credit where credit is due.
I hope the youth in Tullamarine make themselves a board riders club. I hope the wave pool has an influence on the people in the area the same as the ocean does to people who are lucky enough to live near it. I hope the spirit of surfing does what it does . I hope the wavepool is not out of reach to the kids that live within its reach .
Geez ,I doubt it.
No reason ( except cash ) that the groms couldn’t get a team together like a footy side and experience that form of camaraderie , but there is zero chance they’ll experience anything remotely like the freedom and communion with nature that they’d get at the beach.
It’s the difference between a footy oval Saturday morning and the bush.
Surfed it for 4hrs on Sunday.
It's awesome. Well-done Willy.
Broke a JS & 2 others broken in our group, so maybe an unforseen cost in riding the pool.
The dream is real, it doesn't feel artificial just awesome. Completely addictive & beast mode is of real consequence.
Still wanted more after my 60+ waves
What about fitness? Any suggestion? Thanks a lot.
I don’t pay for your wave pool advertorials with my subscription . Nothing I said was derogatory about their tub.
And this is the exact difference between the ocean and the stinking tub....the tub is always private property. Thus wave pool grommets won’t be experiencing anything even remotely like the freedom of the untamed and unowned ocean.
It’ll be the equivalent of sending your kids to play at a Westfield shopping centre . Rules , rules , rules . Not spending any money.....then fuck off !
Stick your pool in your arse.
There was more happiness amoungst a group of surfers in the pool than I've pretty much ever experienced in the ocean in recent years. The most common experience for me of ocean surfing today is over crowding & hostility. I generally travel far to surf with few. At most known breaks few people talk in the water & its very much a macho toxic culture. The pool seems to get rid of this aspect of human behaviour. That is awesome
Sounds like your surfing experience sucks. Have you ever tried talking to people in the lineup ? Being friendly etc ?
99 percent of the places I go are happy and very enjoyable. Crew just having a good time. I think the need to buy a safe space to float around in is a bit unwarranted, but who knows what you go through ?
Sounds like a shame.
In fairness Blowin you seem to live a bit of a charmed life, and good on you. But, for some/most of us the day to day surfing experience is not so utopian.
Come down the barrio for a week or so and I'm pretty sure the shine will wear off. Sharing a continually overfull line up with territorial locals, angry tradies, frothing groms, corporate bankers, backpackers, kooks, the emotionally challenged and the Dunning-Krugers gets real tiring.
Not that any of this would lead me to a tub, except the one at home with some salts and a cold one at the end of the day.
Braudulio , I’ve surfed my share of crowded places where there’s not enough waves to go around during my time and I often visit mates who live in that situation full time , yet I still find that mostly everyone is just happy to be out there.
Sure , there’s grumbles sometimes and sooner or later everyone has a shocker and spits the dummy , but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s a perpetual toxic mucho culture where people don’t talk to each other.
Maybe I’m wrong, but when I’m visiting crew and we go surfing at their crowded locals , I’m continuously surprised how effusive the crowd usually is. In fact it’s mostly me getting the shits cause I’m not used to the pure volume of people whilst everyone else is looking at me like I’m a weirdo . They’re having the time chatting to the lineup regulars and getting some from the pack.
It might be different at 4PM at an inner city beach , but the crowded sessions I see are still mostly crew getting their stoke on.
Yeah well everyone's got their own perspective. Maybe I am just too jaded and cynical. Sure there's crew getting their stoke on no doubt. Most of the lineup, not convinced.
'perpetual toxic macho culture' a bit of that yeah, I'd drop the perpetual though, but to me it's more the cold hard fact of limited resources (i.e. waves) versus number of users. You don't tend to see the kind of egotistical selfish behaviour you see in the surf in the local skatepark. Plenty of people talking to each other, often too much, if I have to listen to too many more discussions of real estate between obviously wealth expats I'm going to go postal :)
Personally normally jag my fair share, have a chat with whoever's out, go home happy. But, it's often hard work to block out the shitfight going on around you. Depending on the waves (and my mood) sometimes just not worth it.
As an aside, the dynamics of the lineup have definitely changed over the years. Seems more people in the water but less older crew (you probably surf with more of them than I do), less competence (groms aside), less etiquette, less courtesy. Same generally shitty banks though.
Should also mention I am lucky enough to mostly work at home so am generally out there at gentlemens hour. Gave up the dawnies and lateys (summer excepted) long ago.
"At most known breaks few people talk in the water & its very much a macho toxic culture."
That's a really big call.
Roger that Blowin & peace & happiness to everyone. We are a part of the lucky few on this planet that get to spend time enjoying the magic & beauty of surfing. Merry Christmas
As an engineer I look at the wave and wonder how the design could be tweaked for the better. Double the number of pistons and length of ride but also double the time between waves to stop the backwash problem? The wave looks awesome but at double the length I reckon it would be sublime
A section with a more acute peel angle would be good, so that you get that racing down the line, roller coaster rhythm feeling.
Similar to Surf Ranch.
If more acute peel angles are not possible you could play around with a section of the wave that peels over adjustable bathymetry.
Worth noting the patent for a wave pool with adjustable bathymetry has lapsed.
Then there is the beginners wave a top to bottom close out, why not create a spilling wave where the top half is white water and the bottom half is green face, much better for learning to turn on.
Hi Andrew
Quick question: What happens if (when) someone (me) misses their wave? I take it they (me) paddle back to the end of the queue?
Before we went in the water the bloke from Urbnsurf asked us nicely that if someone missed their wave we should give them a crack at the next wave. If they missed the second one it was off to the back of the line.
It worked like that really well. Everyone was happy enough to let the person get a second chance. Only one person missed both waves once. Missing waves didn't happen that much considering the ability of a lot of the people out there. The take offs are easy and once everyone got the hang of it most people were able to get their waves on the first go.
The vibe in the water was as happy as I've ever seen, if not happier, than in any line up in the world.
Yep back to the end of the line Patrick..next in line goes next...
SurferSam are you a Mech or Structural Eng ?
Mech mate
Maybe the protocol will change but that wasn't the case when we were there. If you missed one, then most times the crew behind would let you have a shot at the next one.
Doubt anyone would have the patience to let you miss two and carry on.
You hadn't paid!
Thats good friendly surfing...obviously a different day to when the Greedy Goblin was there.
Mates are going 27/28th Close to $900 for the day , Cannot escape work , business partner is away this Xmas and its my turn to keep the wheels turning Dammmmnit
Did that deal with a bunch of guys last week. Not worth it. Too many in the line up, they sent out their own crew (at our cost) which reduced our wave count. Turns wave has no push - so you're pretty fucked if you are plus 85 kgs and/or older and riding your standard shorty. Add in no catering, ran out of hot water for showers, didn't turn on the heaters and crew were freezing (you go half hour on then off and have to rotate between the left and right whether you want to or not). They pocketed a fair bit dough at our expense and it left a pretty sour taste. I wouldn't go back.
ouch that does sound a bit rough , its not a small cash drop to still get skunked by the system
Does the turns wave have push if you are from the Gold Coast and therefore expect no push? Ha ha
They have done a good job of making the water colour look amazing compared to somewhere like waco. I’m pretty keen to have a go in the pool hoping they build one in WA
Horan reckons his EZ3 fins are the gamechanger for surfing this pool.
Has Cheyne surfed it?
Yep. Be interesting to see how it stacks up for punters once the industry junket is over.
Willy Wonka,
Gary has his grotte d'homme nearby and aside from the lovely curves featured in your videos so far he is interested in all the other places he can see and be seen around your lovely lagoon.
There has been talk of a skate park going in for use between sessions - Any photos or design that you can share?
Good point GaryG.. at least a mini ramp or some kind of bowl to keep warm between designated times in the water. What is the water temp anyway? Don't think I've read that anywhere...
Hi GDH. Surfed today in a 2/2 long sleeve springy and was very warm. Water was warm enough for boardies and a wettie jacket.
And yes it was awesome.
Anyone know how all these average joes are now getting to surf the wave? Surely they aren't all foundation members.
Why not? You don't have to be a good surfer to have money to burn.
World Safaris Wave Park weekend tours...
Seems to offer one hour am session + one hour sundown pm session
First Qld flight arrives at Park 12pm DLS > must exit 5pm Qld time for flight home.
This allows transit time to 1hr pre flight Airline book-in for last flight home.
Sundown Wave session misses flight home # (Note : Hotel Accom is Extra)
https://www.worldsurfaris.com/urbnsurf-australias-first-surf-parks
tbb is only saying to check Flight Times vs Booked Wave Pool session times.
Could be to get yer 2 sessions you may need to book a sleep-over.
Wake on Sunday & very much doubt you'd get another crack at the Wave Pool.
To check 100% requires full details in booking boxes...Do yer Homework!
Yes! You can book a weekend option...
Obvious to any tour agency that day return bookings clearly need 'early 2nd sessions'.
Otherwise interstate plans turn costly & Surfer is forced to pay hidden extra costs!
Families are separated, church cancelled as new travel bookings ruin family's Sunday.
Rest assured knowing Airport Wave Pool hinges on FIFO visitors getting a fair deal.
It'll put you out of a job, No surf to forecast!
Revving up Wave Pool Mania...
2018 Wet'N'Wild wave pool Sydney
FMX Summer Slam Motocross.
Bikes bending rules hammed up PROMOS near a Wave Pool of Summer surfers.
https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/wetnwild-sydney-presents-summer-time-...
Wet'N'Wild Gold Coast opened 1984 (Refuses even a/h Body Boards)
2019 Summer sees return of Dive in Movies in wave pool.
2019 FMX Summer Slam-(Closes) Wave Pool for 3 sessions/day over (Xmas H'days)
Bikers are riding thru wavepool with waterproof gear & bikes.
Example of bending rules to lock out prime time-peak season surfing in record heat.
To be fair the Bikers maybe Surfing the wave pool?
http://www.mygc.com.au/watch-splash-into-summer-at-wetnwild/
Used to skate Amazons at Jindalee once it shut down and was drained back in the day, not quite the same.
How to embed instagram?
Dinner and a movie is old fashioned but still pays dividends.
In what way?
A better hand shandy when you get home?
Beast+ mode looks sick. Can't wait for the vid, some of the world's best on it.
Sprout that's real kind to share...
tbb is thinking triple helix with a blue bottle kiss.
Translation: Triple barrel roll with a frothy mo' claim.
Tempted to feather dust the chandelier real slow like.
Translation: Round the World stop over or Barrel Roll power glide!
tbb maybe half blind & crippled but if ya wind me up. Stand back!
https://movementmag.com/read/the-urbnsurf-pool-party
Great snoopin' Sprout...plenty of action
(That centre console drink tray is suss!)
tbb salutes the Boogie Queen's break thru-dance.
Pro Party, Olympians, Mals, Clubz, Magz, Boogerz
Next up...(Basherz / Whomperz / Nipperz / MM Boofs / Supz ?
tbb reckoned chix needed a battering ram to smash thru boyz wave pool armour
Surf Lakes hybrid FeMal Grom Wave Pool Ambassador also just smashed thru.
https://wavepoolmag.com/teen-longboard-champ-expands-surf-lakes-ambassad...
I’ve just booked with a couple mates.
Thanks Santa!
Got a gift voucher for xmas and booked a session for early Jan today. Can't wait!
6th January 2020 URBNSURF [ OPENING DAY ]
Interesting to read [facebook] URBNSURF was equally upfront in wanting answers.
Most comments as here are favourable but also air concerns.
Vic Clubz Deal
2nd Dec - Boogerz: 'Bet that don't include us...park won't let us in'.
This came about by (Wave Pool Mag) "Boogerz could splash in Intermediate waves".
After seeing Tame Beast+ (The Boogerz & (tbb) will order XXXX Beast ++) Thanx!
Code: Slab professors are dipping toes in Waikiki aren't we? Thought so!
2nd Dec / Seachangebabies score freebies while City slickerz cop the raw prawn!
Just great!...Now clubs can take over every imaginable wave break as their birth-rite.
Endless Celeb Promos go on & on & on & on & then on some more...all are sick of it!
Celeb's farts power up Roary so they can wave their arses in local's faces. (It Stinks!)
Just open the Pool Already? That 's the common thread!
23rd Dec...(Dumbfounded) Part 99 "Bat shit crazy anti pool safety series"
Wave after wave of near death experiences...
Posts: "all those loose boards & near misses"/"Gutted to pay $79 to have it like that..."
tbb can't understand why the Lifeguards don't shut the pool or eyes or run. (Insane!)
Free Tip! Don't show that vid to the world one week before opening a Wave Pool.
All be thankful no other Oz Water Park has ever operated as careless as that.
Consider faster Bodysurfers sheer terror when face shaving rows of razored ten pins.
Quite easily slice our guts open...gonna need a bigger ding repair kit!
https://www.facebook.com/urbnsurf/
tbb will next example Stu's Rollerball theme that rules the pool...(Scary alright!)
Clearing the Wave Pool Lineup
Pro Surfers (4 man Heats) just rode set waves 16 secs apart @ recent (Pipe)
(Example) 1st surfer dives deep under 2nd dives under 3rd dives under 4th...
Takes Olympians 2 set waves (32 secs to clear just 2 waves in the Pipe line-up )
Water-slide Splash Pool Zone...(Various Pools were averaged)
Solo + Single / Double loop Tubes take from 20 secs to 60 secs to clear the pool
Rafts of 4/5/6 were afforded 50 secs to 60 secs to clear the Pool.
(Note) Pool must be clear to trigger Green Light for next rider.
Wave Pools (Open Season)
During Tube Time it's impossible to surf in general wave Pools.
Bodysurfers & Boogerz pick lunch, rain or cram longer surfing to shore on the buzzer.
Usually the surfer can ward off others with speed obtained from side wall reverb.
Again this is purely an end game stoke & nothing more. (Can slot rides on a good run!)
Hear tbb out, next bit is not an URBNSURF spray it's about shorter wave intervals.
Waco / Wave Garden can run waves @ 4 secs but choose 6 secs > 8 secs...
As said this could be worse than what it is, best to clear that up...Not 100% evil.
Recap...
1) If safe- next Pro Olympian is waved thru after 16 secs & a dive beneath is trusted.
All hell breaks loose when this fails just once > see Sunset 2019...(All here know!)
(Pro) Olympian takes 32 seconds min... to clear a solid wave zone safely (Not easy!)
2)Watersliderz /Tube (Novices) take 20 secs > 60 secs to clear Splash Pool
Next rider must wait for all clear before shooting pool at considerable speed.
Note: 2005 Ban on Hard Boards in Splash pools were for collisions & Queue injuries.
3) Old School Wave Pool surfers respectfully wait for magic hour! No Choice!
4) New Wave pool (Novices) Every 6 secs a sea of debris piles higher until the hooter.
Every 2nd wave & more is stacked with razor sharp death traps. (Complete Chaos)
Smash up Derby Surfing is what it is & surf fans are shocked at what they see.
This tin of Snapper...needs escape hatches + trap doors + skylights + a rabbit hat.
tbb is simply pointing out the Elephant in the Wave Pool...can't go on like this.
Not mad, just bewildered at how surfers mowing each other down became a sport.
Has been open for bookings for 3 days now after months of promo and anticipation and is only booked out a week and a bit in advance for the advanced level. Make of that what you will. Maybe it's just a bad time of year because everyone is on holidays.
peabo actually puts a gloss on it..."Make of that what you will!" Sums it up nicely.
You can actually still book 2-3-4 days from opening & heaps of booking hours after.
Note: Bristol wave pool was booked solid for 35 days (All waves) Waco is the same...
There is a reluctance for set hours for some reason...see if crew can help sort that...
Booked hours favour (10am-12pm) + (1-3pm) + (4-6pm)
Dead Hours are (6-9am) + (12-1pm) + (3-4pm) + (6-7pm) + (8-9pm)
For some weird reason these set hours play out day after day.
Melburnians love dining that coincides with meal sessions? (Is it that simple?)
Urbnsurf (Being new) does not register on Melbourne Journey Planner as yet.
No Urbnsuf Map / Transit links or Time tables..Most odd for a new venue.
Just saying Melbourne Transit also lacks Route maps, not helping Pool visitors.
tbb checked the Flight times / Bus / Tram links (Should expose some weak links)
Melbourne Flight Arrival >
[Watson Drive Stop] 2 Buses [478] + [479] run roughly over the half + hour
Earliest wave park session booking timetable is shown by City
7:00 Perth
8:00 Darwin + 'Hobart- just grab any bag & hurry as your bus is departing'
9:00 ACT + Syd + Tassie + Newcastle + Adelaide + NZ
11:00 Brisbane + Gold Coast (Carousel delay-Bus- blows earlier 10:00 am start)
Vic PT> Surf Coast Bus surfboard exemption needed for Air-Surf Precinct (1 stop)
Half hourly affordable door 2 door BYO service knocks a big whack off the extras.
Airport - Wave park bus - Time sessions (Times also reflect Uber -Dial & Transit)
Day visit > Last bus > Peak Flights out ...Last Wave Pool Session Bookings
https://d26s8o1k1a4y18.cloudfront.net/1577005047205/bus-8302-2017-12-17-...
https://d26s8o1k1a4y18.cloudfront.net/1577005047205/bus-8185-2017-12-17-...
6:00-7:00 am - 6:00-7:00 pm (m-f) - (Sharp return)
9:00 -10:00 am - 5:00- 6:00 pm ...(w/e + h'days)
[ LOCALS ONLY + GROMZ ] Start Booking Time < > End Booking Time
City Tram + Bus
https://d26s8o1k1a4y18.cloudfront.net/1577005047205/tram-897-2019-12-31-...
https://www.railmaps.com.au/routedetails.php?RouteSelect=213&traveldate=...
8:00 - 9:00 am > 6:00 - 7:00 pm (m-f)
10:00 -11:00 am > 5:00 - 6:00 pm (w/e + h'days)
Skybus ($18 each way-$2 off discount for pool opening + Surfboards free) + Bus
https://www.skybus.com.au/melbourne-city-express/timetable/
7:00 - 8:00 am - 6:00 - 7:00 pm (m-f)
9:00 -10:00 am - 5:00 - 6:00 pm (w/e + h'days)
Just reminding these are 1st & last Pool Booking time tables to max out the mode!
(swellnet crew's NYE gift to Willy Wonka)
Secret Early birds that can fill those early 7:00 - 9:00 am hours
Perth/Darwin/Hobart surfers are worth investing for morning sessions
Melbourne Skybus (On sale..best time to get locals surfing an early bus)
Local neighbourhood surfers fill first hour before buses.
(w/e) Buses (9:00 am start) + Tram (10:00 start) = (Massive w/e Wavepool/Carpark)
Might pay to hook in with local Accom-[P] Shuttle/trailer
Local Dad Driver deals or Mums Taxi Pamper Pack for piling w/e Gromz/Nippers
Clear to see early w/e needs alternate shuttles.
Late arrivals GC / Bne could be tempted to block fill the late hours
Again Hourly Shuttle can milk a generous late Local Tram + Skybus +Air loop.
DLS buys Qldurrz 1hr extra on return...use that to bulk bill a top up hour!
Airline Deals ~ Qantas / Jetstar...milk those later returns to Qld with said shuttle
GCA parking rates $14/day (Cheap) > [Drive Home a Moondog Meal]
w/e Trains run all night from Bne Airport / City > Burbs [Off the rails XXXX sendoff]
WA might even be last to leave or Sleep o/n.
Should be possible to block fill Cities to Timetabled Flights.
That should also marry in with themed meal breaks..(Trucker's Cafe)
Whatever Gaps are left you add onto Happy hour for going group.
Could be that sponsors back themes like KIWI surf hour.
Airport Pool runs a human tide flowing with flight times, need to tap into it!
Willy Wonker was cool enough to join the crew, we're simply returning the favour.
Reckon we've half sorted it, just needs that rainbow touch from Willy Wonker.
Crew wish Mr Ross all the best of starts for his new year opening...
2nd Jan 2020 'Aust surfers prepare for Gold' by Melissa Woods
https://www.greatlakesadvocate.com.au/story/6564369/aust-surfers-prepare...
Aust Coach Bede Durbidge:
The Australians will continue to use the new "$30m" wavepool in Melbourne, which can "Replicate" the conditions expected at Tsurigasaki Beach, about 60km outside of Tokyo in Chiba.
He said they would use the facility to continue to work on their "Aerial Skills" necessary to topple the world's top two ranked men, Brazilians Italo Ferreira and Gabriel Medina.
"We'll spend 'A lot' of time at the wavepool" and do "A lot of training around the Aerial side of things" because unless there's a typhoon, it will be small.
tbb Notes:
WSL Olympic Wave Pool design/s voted useless for wave pool training.
All now give WSL the flick...gotta wonder if Kelly lost so not to train in rival's pool?
All note, that Pros are backing down on aerial surfing in new Wave Garden Coves.
Due to Shallow depth & less recovery time from wipeout to avoid approaching rider.
Surfers are first reticent for big moves as well as rushed by impending danger...
Eg:
The Wave Bristol (Red Bull Team) Flick 360's + Barrels (No Airs!)
Urbnsurf (Australian Olympic Team) Flick 360's + Barrels (No Airs!)
Tsurigasaki (Runs 4 / 5 man heats) Paddle battle/tactics wins deep priority rule.
This means the Pro's will be mowing each other down...(Similar to 6 sec Wavepools )
Wave Pool Adjustments
*Fill wave pool with the extra foot of water to gauge Olympic depth for Air Game.
*Slow train to same 8 secs (Allows enough time for cutty + airflight) + duck & cover
* Float one Scare-Pro per wave in the line up...reflects inside man in 4/5 man heats
* Paddle Battle with clubbie/ mouthy Hodad'n'Grom / G-string chick camps take off.
Reckon Bede has cracked the Olympic code...
Meanwhile back at Waco Airport
Team USA are leaping Tall Buildings in a single bound.
Waco design deepens toward wall it requires little resource to alter height up/down.
Waco Airport lowers pool height for Stab high & Go Go cage + Acid Drop Adverts.
This Pool depth to Air height is a huge training factor.
Waco surfer trawls facing the wall gauging same depth to perfectly time Air display.
Also note that as such the Waco pool best resembles a beach break style wave.
That's a huge double leg up for an Olympic coach.
Cove surfer rides away from wall, rapidly running down air clock! (Try again loser!)
By the time our Cove surfer ramps he's left high & dry. (A short point / not a beachie)
Oz coach has less choice & must raise pool height for airs-forgoing Speed & Power.
But Oz coach is better so it hardly matters!
Note also Waco open a Japanese Wave Pool 1 month before Olympics. (Timing!)
So how is it decided the wave type being dialled in during a session when its a group of randoms who have ranging abilities? Is it worked out beforehand on a vote? 1/2 hour of point break then crank it up a notch for 15 mins then 15 mins of the beast....? I'd be pissed if I drew a bunch of hacks who wanted a whole hour of snail paced mushburgers.
Wooly tv on Utube have a good review on the Pool..
Going on friday, almost peeing the pant in excitement. Aint been surfing much lately...
You should get it offshore too!
I'm going Saturday. SW winds forecast :(
Does wind direction play much of a part?
It does a bit but not as much as you may think.
Take a few boards.
Roger that
Be the first on a DS
Do you have a short DS ?
Ha ha Ha, yeah nahh
No I don’t.
What's the deal in terms of lockers / place to leave board bag (or do you just bring your board in?) etc?
And in terms of what time do you turn up before your session, do you get allocated a wrist band or anything etc?
Thanks in advance.
there's lockers there, although they were too idiot proof for my limited brain capacity to work out, they are activated by the wristband that you get when you arrive (there's a check in section before the entry gates), wristband gets you through the entry turnstile too
i ended up just leaving my board bag and back pack on one of the grassy areas in front of the pool
Thanks! Glad I'm not the only one who gets humiliated by lockers ...
ha, yeah they're the blurst!
going next week, one board quiver.
what should I take Stu?
Another board.
Panda DD? HT2.5?
Good luck.
I was thinking the DD
OK, not helpful.
The barrel section is short and tight, acute angles, and the barrels aren't the same wave after wave. You need to make swift adjustments, sometimes on an already steep face.
Forget twin fins, big swallows, any of that jazz, go something slightly shorter than you'd ordinarily ride with a slightly wider tail.
so if you took a 2 board quiver, then what?
what would change between board one and two?
Warning: Conceptual theory approaching.
At its core the Tulla wave has different physical principles than an ocean wave. They look similar, and you ride them using gravity, but the vectors of energy are ever so slightly different. You've gotta find something that works there.
My boards didn't work all that well, same with a few other people I've spoken to, though another bloke - hey Mibs! - said his shorty went unreal.
It's not cut and dried, like Mibs your shorty might work, but give yourself options.
OK, so its total trial and error?
anyhow, hope the water and day is warm because I ain't taking no wetsuit.
what do you think about a 6ft foamy Stu, if normal shortboard don't work?
Yeah, nah.
Mostly nah.
Probably all nah.
Plenty of boards there. Ask Rupert politely if you could borrow one. He'd know who you are.
I'll just be there as an anonymous punter.
Fairies nuts.
But if you're gonna do an objective piece for BG don't ride a foamy.
probs take a standard shorty but all the talk that standard shorties don't work well has got me rattled.
I've got a 5'6" cymatic, little EPS/epoxy thing that is sparky as hell.
that is firming up as the go to.
it's temperamental though.
i found i was bogging rails nearly every wave on my standard short board fwiw
What day you going fr76?
I’ll keep my beady eyes peeled. I’m going twice in the next 10 days
Tuesday
What did you think FR and what did you end up riding?
Report up here: https://beachgrit.com/2020/01/longtom-surfs-melbourne-tank-each-wave-was...
Gary will be lurking around the pond a few times over the next 7 days to find the best vantage point & strutting route(s) before considering the value of an annual spectator membership thereafter.
Just between you lot and Gary, he's reasonably excited about going for a splash
Will Gary be going full Beast Mode on the unsuspecting punters?
Gary can't see anything in the FAQs about dress standards so can only assume it's an anything goes kind of vibe.
Gary really finds the spectator option quite arousing: no hurt feelings when it's clear that those watching have paid for the privilege
Had a session here this afternoon. Was the only booger in the water and due to some kind of booking fuck-up, we had 20+ guys in the water. Wind was onshore, so it was a little crumbly and the turns wave didn't do a whole lot for me, but despite that it was still a blast. The whole experience is a lot of fun. They switched beast mode on for the final 4 sets and that was a real punchy sucky little thing. Def gets the heart pumping a bit.
My main takeaways were
- Get fit. It's not as relaxing as it looks. You'll only sit still for maybe a minute at a time. The rest of the time is paddling or surfing. And while the rip is super helpful... if you're catching one of the later waves in a set, there is a sweep you can get stuck in that just won't let you over to the rip. I came away from the hour pretty tired and achey.
- Book it for an offshore day if you can (should be do-able once the hype wears off). It feels like it will make it a better time. Only 2 of my beast mode barrels held open in the onshore.
- For $79, it's almost worth it. A 90 min session would have felt like better value for money. If it was half the price, i'd be there all the time. At the current price, i'll be there 2-3 times a year.
Plus one on the get fit comment - I went on opening day and quite a few of us were knackered after 30 mins.
Urbnsurf Melbourne / summer slabs : Vimeo
2020 - year of the link :-0
Haha, yeah cummon Udo, step it up ;p
Surfed it yesterday on advanced, bucket of fun!
They move through the settings from point waves to barrels at the end. The point waves are fun but probably need something between your standard shortboard and a groveller to make the most of it.
Barrel section is fun but there was probably only a few people in the group that could really take advantage of it and the later waves in the set (with a light onshore breeze) chandelier a fair bit.
If you're a keen surfer and fit you'll always pick the ocean when conditions are reasonable, but for an intermediate that might struggle with crowds, positioning, reading conditions (all the little things that you build up incrementally over the years) it'd be the best thing in the world - easy drop, easy paddle, guaranteed to get your fill. I reckon that's their market and they'll have no trouble filling it (might mean less flotsam along the coastline as well!)
So they can turn on a Air section..Kerrzy just had a blast on it.
Chuck a link up brother, show the people!
Here you go:
https://www.facebook.com/139000283779/posts/10157405648628780/
During pre-opening testing, three kings of Australian bodyboarding ripped URBNSURF Melbourne apart. For 5 hours straight, Mitch Rawlins, Jake Stone and Dave Winchester pushed Beast and Beast+ to the limits. They hucked inverts and ARS's into the flats, and sat deeper on the foamball than anyone to date.
Later this year, we'll be launching our new Expert sessions. Featuring our biggest, heaviest wave settings and less riders in the lineup, they're designed for surfers, bodyboarders and bodysurfers who crave slabbing barrels. In the meantime, these settings are available for private bookings - and to mindsurf.
Boogers in 2ft barrels lol
Could they install/ add on some sort of temporary kick in the reef.thick rubber mats,adding say a foot to the bottom. Even different shapes. .??
greyhound...Yes! They can & are running a Ramp Promo next month... (re: Below)
tbb is ill but will easily clock longer deeper more solid barrel rolls than das boogerz.
Be honest...these likely local lads are just clumsily fly swatting around the traps.
tbb would want a refund if best pool rides we've seen thus far were wave of the day.
OK! That sounds harsh...but not from a distant Qldurr'z point of view.
Team Oz best surfer & Gold Medal hope refuses to set foot in the Park & all know why.
Not even seen Olympic Qualifying level nor commitment that puts world on notice.
$40 for whole day ticket to Olympics / Stab best ever rides.
$80/hr Crew, gotta surf twice as good as pros in one session to make it count.
Very seldom do we see punters claiming rides half as good.
Goldie surfer blows $1000 ...One chance to Smash it Up on yer one & only dream run!
tbb is saying won't someone pulverize that Beast or at least mind my sarcophagus!
Team Oz could dial Olympic Comp waves,times,depth,paddle bouts & crowd as Tokyo!
But that's not what they're doing...quite the opposite in fact!
Unkempt Slovenly URBNSURF gets the comp it deserves...
21st March ~ Stab High / Go Go cage Acid Drop
{ SEE }: # Daredevil Ski Troupe Fly Leash Free ...(*Don't try this at yer local wave pool!)
{ SEE }: # Ladybirdz vs Flygurlz (No holds barred!)
Once in a lifetime spectacular...Actual Surfie Chix will be forced to enter a Wave Pool.
Tickets $38 - $127 (Gromz free) Prize Purse- Air $20k + Win $25k
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/stab-high-an-international-surfing-conte...
*Firstly! Yes! URBNSURF have Toyed with a Ramp Wave setting...(Josh Kerr -Promo)
https://www.facebook.com/urbnsurf/videos/182183146389874/
*Never before seen 'Ramp' will be on 'Display' by (Wavegarden/Stab/Waco ski troupe)
https://www.cinestudio.net/production/portfolio/hot-wheels-city-shark-be...
Oops! Try this one...
https://stabmag.com/news/stab-high-is-coming-to-melbourne-on-march-21st/
[Terms & Conditions] Pool Skaterz 'n' Skiers must keep pet skegz on leashes thru park.
Note: Free flying Surfboards may maim or kill (re: Airheads crowd control safety film.)
SMH "Artificial Wave Pools will revolutionise surfing - but not everyone's on board."
by Tim Elliot .
Massive feature article is more a puff piece for wavepools but is well researched.
There's a lot of Ross / Slater montages & Lip Gloss blow kisses from the tarts.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/artificial-wave-pools-will-revolutionise-su...
For more reward...tbb recommends the crew might slightly scrabble the news title...
"Artificial Wave Pools are exploiting surfing and everyone is fed up!"
Same article then kicks arse as an undercover expose into Wave Pool Mobsters.
Read between the lines & you'll be rewarded...solid write up either way Tim!
Whats the Water sterilization here....only very light Chlorination says the CEO...light enough to have a guzzle on the paddle back out if your thirsty......
Steer clear of Pools says Dr Norman Swan
Any truth to the rumour that private equity raiders got their hands on the Tulla Tub after the founders lost cash flow during Covid ?
Spewing for them if true.